R. Rajendran (DMK politician)

R. Rajendran was born on 3 June 1959 in Tamil Nadu.^[5] He hails from an agricultural background. He completed his primary school from Govt. School, Salem, and Higher Secondary school studies from Little Flower School, Salem. He entered politics during his college days and was active since early 1990s till now.^{[citation needed]}

In 1985 he was appointed the Student Wing District Organizer by the Party President M. Karunanidhi. In 1992 he was appointed the District Organizer at DMK Youth Wing by present DMK President and then Youth Wing Secretary M. K. Stalin. In 1999 he was appointed the State Youth Wing Deputy Secretary by M. K. Stalin. In 2004 he acted as the State President for the Government LPF.^{[citation needed]}

In 2006 he was elected as the Member of Legislative Assembly, for the Panamarathupatty Assembly constituency . In 2015 he was appointed the District Secretary for the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Salem (Central) after the death of former Minister Veerapandi Arumugam by the Party President M. Karunanidhi. In 2016 he was elected as the Member of Legislative Assembly, for the Salem North Assembly constituency.^[6][3] In 2021 he was elected as the Member of Legislative Assembly, for the Salem North Assembly constituency for the second time. ^{[2][7][4][8][9]}

On 29.09.2024 he was inducted in the Cabinet of DMK Ministry under Chief Minister M. K. Stalin and he took charge as Minister for Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu. He is the Second Minister for Salem District from DMK.^[10][11][12]